PAS Raub today conceded that some of its Felda Tersang members had joined their rival Umno but dismissed reports that the figure could be high as 300.

Contacted today, PAS Raub division chief Suhaimi Saad said there were less than 300 PAS members in that area.

"It's not possible that all PAS Felda Tersang members joined Umno. We just held a regional meeting and many members from the area attended.

"I believe that the figure is small, but we need a few days to get the actual figure," he added.

On Sunday, it was reported that the defecting PAS members had handed their applications to Umno deputy president Najib Abdul Razak.

Najib was in the area to campaign for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram who will face Independent candidate Ng Chee Pang in the Jan 28 Batu Talam state by-election in Pahang.

'Trouble makers'

Asked if the defection had tainted PAS' reputation, Suhaimi denied this, saying those who had joined Umno were 'trouble makers anyway'.

"It was better that they left because their lifestyles are not suited for PAS' struggles," he said.

He said several PAS members were known to be members of the Welfare and Sermon Organisation (Pekida), an organisation filled with Umno members.

Suhaimi said there are a total of 1,200 PAS members in the Batu Talam constituency while the party has 11 branches in Felda Tersang.

Meanwhile, the PAS leader said he had instructed the party members in Batu Talam to boycott the by-election as decided by opposition parties.

He said the party will hold ceramah (talks) in the area to explain the decision behind the boycott, which the opposition said is to press for electoral reforms.